Grier agrees on 2 percent raises for all teachers

HISD Superintendent Terry Grier is now proposing that all teachers get 2 percent raises next school year, scrapping his plan to give smaller increases to those with more experience.

The Houston Independent School District board will vote on the raise plan as part of the overall budget next week.

Grier had proposed raises of 1.75 percent for veteran teachers and raises of 2.25 percent for those with 10 or fewer years of experience. Grier told the school board in May that he thought the higher raises for new teachers would help with recruiting. But Houston Federation of Teachers president Gayle Fallon responded swiftly, blasting the differentiated plan as a slap in the face to veteran teachers.

“After talking to the teachers’ union, other staff and board members, he’s decided it’s important to show appreciation for veteran teachers,” HISD spokesman Jason Spencer said Thursday. “It wasn’t the intent to disrespect them.”